"I wanted to create a beautiful and intimate piece shot in Susan's native Scotland and she quickly agreed," Reed explained to the Sunday Mail. Well, we say "explained" – but this doesn't really explain it at all. In September, Boyle was blocked from performing the song on America's Got Talent. Although Reed claimed it was a rights issue, Boyle criticised him in an interview this weekend. "It was a bit childish on his part," she told Piers Morgan. "A man of his calibre and his talent, a bit childish ... Mr Reed, I have respect for you as an artist but you ought to be more considerate."

But they appear to have made up. Behold as this eerie, mysterious tune becomes the soundtrack to sunsets, rainbows and helicopter rides through the Highlands. There's Boyle, standing by a foggy loch, singing about "drinking sangria in the park". There's Boyle, standing in the woods, gesturing like an elvish enchantress. There's Boyle, stoic in the drizzle, warbling about visiting "the zoo, then maybe a movie too".

A spokesman for Reed could not confirm his role in the video, but Boyle's PR said: "Although he (Reed) was not involved in directing or producing the music video, he was involved in the original concept of shooting in Scotland."

Perhaps Reed has taken inspiration from Moe Tucker in confounding public expectation. Then again, perhaps Boyle is simply a really nice lady. "I loved that Lou understood how much it meant to me to film in Scotland," she said. "I didn't mind how much it rained or blew a gale – I enjoyed every minute."